Media Release
FA32 / 7 March 2002
New Ways to Make Travel Trouble-Free
I am today launching a new booklet designed to further enhance the
Australian Government's efforts to help its citizens abroad. Entitled
Assisting
Australians Overseas, the booklet details the broad range
of consular services provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade both in Australia and abroad.
The fundamental message of the booklet is that good preparation is
vital for an enjoyable, trouble-free trip.
About 3.5 million Australians travel overseas each year. Despite
the best efforts of my Department and the travel industry to advise
travellers of the possible risks they face abroad, more than 20,000
Australians a year will require some form of consular assistance from
Australia's overseas missions.
The demands on consular staff have been steadily increasing in recent
years and the booklet also describes how the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade is working to maintain its high-quality service
in the face of an ever-increasing workload.
Free copies can be obtained from the Department on 02 6261 2534 or
ordered through the Internet at www.dfat.gov.au/travel/order_brochure
I am also launching today a further reform - the Department's new
Online Registration service for Australian travellers.
From today, Australians can register their details with the Department
on one central website when they travel abroad. This information
can be used to help locate Australian travellers in the case of natural
disaster, medical emergency, civil disruption or personal tragedy.
While all Australians are welcome to register, this service is primarily
for citizens planning to live overseas for a substantial period of
time or those Australians who have specific concerns about security
risks based on our travel advisories.
Effective from today, the registration service can be accessed through
the Department's website www.dfat.gov.au/travel
under 'Registration Services'.
Media inquiries: Julie McDonald (Departmental) 02 6261
1555
Local Date:
Tuesday, 22-May-2012 06:46:33 EST
